Just placed the deposit and got my Nov build spot on a new 2024 Cooper S convertible. Was going to go with JCW but I can't get the manual so the S it is. I've been a forum member here before, but haven't logged on since 2012 andcouldn't remember my login or password so registered again. (Edit: did finally get it - CR_MiniAC).

This is my 3rd MINI. ...had a 2006 and a 2010. Left MINI for a while and have a bit of an unhealthy relationship with buying cars like I change shoes. I just love them all..... Since my last mini I've had.... BMW X3, Subaru WRX, Audi A3, Range Rover, Audi R8, an Alfa Romeo 4C, BMW X3 M40i, Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, AMG GLE43, Porsche Macan S, AMG GLE63S, Porsche Taycan Turbo S, and currently a Mercedes G550.....

....and after all those, someone asked me 2 weeks ago what my favorite car was which was an interesting question that required a bit of thought. I answered that it had to be my Mini Coopers. They drove awesome and were just fun cars. I remember monitoring the build and having it customized to my preferences and just really enjoying them every time I got in them. They didn't cost a crazy amount and may not be "super car" fast but they're just about a perfect package and some of the most fun on 4 wheels. ...a few days later, my wife suggested we get another MINI but this time, a convertible so we just completed our order for a manual transmission before they go extinct. Should be here around February so let the waiting begin......

I'm soooo excited to be coming back to the MINI community. You all rock!

 

Welcome back - you have had a quite an auto adventure. It says something coming back.

So how was driving that Turbo EV I did not realize Turbo means performance in Porsche speak

 

It was a good car - wicked fast. To be honest though, it felt sterile over time - techy sure but sterile and non-emotional. The charging network is a bit of a disaster and works sporadically (not like Tesla) so you have to plan your routes and trips beyond home with a considerable amount of effort. The range for the Porsche Taycan is not great - 195 miles on average, but worse in winter but it's like 160-165 miles. They call their top performance cars Turbo but clearly did not have a turbo - just an added program and 3 EV motors - pushed with launch control 0-60 in 2.5...2.6 sec. It's stupid and makes your head fuzzy feeling like a bad roller coaster so it's not all that fun to do that a lot. ...car is heavy and handles well but it still feels big/heavy. Biggest issue, I recognized within 3 months that the car was more like a cell phone and as soon as they launch gen 2 batteries with larger range, the value was going to plummet and depreciation risk way over ICE car(s) so traded it in for my G550. Have not regretted it in the least. Funny - I watched a YouTube this morning on top supercar deprecation and of the top 10 (jaguar f-type, corvette, Maserati mc20, Aston Martin vantage.....) the absolute #1 car depreciating the most was the Taycan with values plummeting over 35%. I got out just in time. I'd consider buying another one (not a horrible 3rd or 4th car in Mac case) but only used after someone eats the massive depreciation (especially when they release a better battery pack).

 

Welcome Back!